AS THE anticipation grows for the Christmas holidays, the cold winter air might inspire you to cuddle up in a blanket with a warm drink in hand. Just like how good wine gets better when paired with the right cheese, selecting a book that “tastes” like your favorite drink can help make your cozy winter evenings an immersive experience. Here is a list of selections that will keep you warm and entertained throughout the long December nights.

Hot chocolate paired with The House by the Cerulean Sea

   Hot chocolate is the go-to classic when it comes to Christmas drinks. It reminds you of the snowball fights, gingerbread houses, and winter wonderland of your childhood dreams. The magical nostalgia of this Christmas drink spreads through every inch of your being with a sweet, wholesome warmth—the same kind of warmth that can be found in the novel The House by the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. The story takes place in an orphanage for magical youngsters who have been shunned by society due to their peculiar gifts. Treading a fine line between young adult and adult fiction, the premise and the characters of the book seem to lean towards a typical coming-of-age story in a fantastical world, with an underlying message of acknowledging and accepting differences. The main theme of the book centers on the journey of finding one’s own family in the most unlikely places, and how it is possible for a mix of different people to form a tribe of their own.

   Just as hot chocolate reminds us of a simpler time, The House by the Cerulean Sea is a good opportunity to pick up a book that is based on younger characters, but is also sophisticated enough to appeal to the enjoyment of mature readers. It is a book that can help you find a little warmth of sunshine in the dark, winter world of adult fiction.

   Recipe for hot chocolate: Place milk in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add cocoa powder and sugar and whisk together until warm. Add drops of vanilla extract. Top it with your favorite garnishes—whipped cream or marshmallows are recommended[1].

Mulled wine paired with Hamnet

   Mulled wine has a long history of being a winter drink. It originated in ancient Rome where they began heating their wine to fend off the cold weather[2]. Later, its popularity spread to medieval Europe, where people mixed in spices with heated wine to avoid diseases. The sophisticated, rich flavor of this archaic beverage will bring the festivity of Christmas straight to your taste buds.

   Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, a historical fiction novel about William Shakespeare’s family, matches the atmosphere of mulled wine perfectly with its rich and elaborate writing style. Capturing the reimagined life of Shakespeare’s wife Agnes and their two children, the book portrays a woman with a wild, free spirit who is well versed in the healing powers of herbs and is not afraid to take on the challenges that are put upon her, such as living during the time of the plague. The world that is described through her eyes is vivid with emotion and abundant with love for her family.

   The book also contains point-of-view chapters from other characters, such as one of their children, Hamnet, who is a curious and energetic boy with great compassion towards others. This allows the readers to experience the ups and downs of living in Elizabethan England through the eyes of various characters. Just as the deep taste of mulled wine is brought out by a mix of different ingredients and spices, each of the unique voices of the characters add realistic depth to this story of love and grief, leaving readers feeling as if they have personally known the characters for a long time.

   Recipe for mulled wine: Pour a bottle of inexpensive wine and slices of orange into a saucepan. Add cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, or cloves according to your preferences. Bring the pot to a simmer on low heat for ten minutes[3].

Cinnamon apple tea paired with Possession

   The tangy combination of sweet and spicy in a cup of cinnamon apple tea is another favorite of the Christmas season. Its flavor is reminiscent of crackling fireplaces and cozy rocking chairs in a room that belongs to an academic profusely pouring over a book by candlelight. The novel Possession by A.S. Byatt features two of such academics—Roland, and Maud—who have dedicated their lives to studying the Victorian writers Randolph Henry Ash and Cristable LaMotte, respectively. The two scholars meet when Roland seeks out an expert of LaMotte’s works and discovers a reference to her in Ash’s works. As Roland and Maud work together to uncover evidence that there had been a love affair between Ash and LaMotte, they find a spark of romantic affection between themselves as well. The love stories of these two couples creates a parallel across time, mirroring each other beautifully. The strong, woody taste of cinnamon punctuated by the sweetness of apple in this Christmas drink is recreated in the intellectual discussions of academia punctuated by the romantic conversations about love and passion.

   Recipe for cinnamon apple tea: Steep green tea in two cups of water and thinly slice an apple. Add it into a saucepan with cinnamon sticks and ginger, bringing it to a boil. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain it and flavor with lemon or honey[4].

[1] Celebrating Sweets

[2] Vivino

[3] Delish

[4]Yummy Tummy Aarthi Food